Lockdown exemption endangering nannies says BAPN

A local lockdown exemption for nannies in the North of England is putting lives at risk says The British Association of Professional Nannies (BAPN).

A surge in coronavirus cases in the North of England has caused the UK government to enforce a local lockdown in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

As a result, people are banned from various types of social activity, including meeting each other in homes and gardens, as well as members of two different households mixing in pubs and restaurants.

However, there are some exemptions to the new lockdown rules, and this includes those who work as nannies. Nannies and other household staff can continue working but The British Association of Professional Nannies (BAPN) has warned that this putting nannies’ lives at risk.

BAPN’s managing director, Tricia Pritchard, has spoken to the outlet Nursery World explaining that the current measures to keep people safe will not work: “We’ve written to ministers, MPs and city mayors bringing this issue to their attention, seeking clarity and asking for guidance specifically for nannies but without success. We’ve called for employers to send their nanny home, but the Government guidance does not support this.”

Pritchard labelled the advice to nannies throughout the pandemic as confusing and “chaotic” and went on to describe a case that demonstrates the dangers household mixing poses to nannies:

“Only this morning I spoke with a nanny working in Cheshire. She went in to work today, somewhat reluctantly, but her employer insisted she must. When she got there, both mum and dad were working from home which they have been for several weeks, the cleaner was in the house, as was dad’s secretary, and as was the child’s music teacher.

“Our member called us in tears and wanted to know if she refused to go in the house could she lose her job. She’s aware the family’s cleaner has at least one other house she cleans and assumes the music teacher isn’t just working with that particular family either. That’s six adults in that household and all complying with the guidance - it doesn't make sense.”

It's all very well telling households not to mix with one another but if domestic staff are allowed to come and go into houses the danger surely persists. Pritchard went on to describe how some nannies have lost their jobs for refusing to work in such dangerous environments.

Of course, getting back to work and have the opportunity to earn is important and desirable for nannies, as in all professions, but at times like this safety is paramount.

Hopefully, the pandemic will soon be under control in the north of the country, making it safer for nannies to perform their duties.

Nannies play such crucial roles in the lives of families up and down the country, becoming loved members of their households as they help children grow and develop under their care.

If you are a nanny and are looking for work, use a London nanny agency to help you find the perfect role.

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